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Britain
Jack Straw apologizes for serving ham sandwiches to prisoners
2008-03-14
With helpful bonus pic of ham sandwich goodness at the link.
Muslim prisoners who were offered ham sandwiches during the holy month of Ramadan have received a letter of apology from the Government. Officials said sorry to the 200 Muslim inmates of HMP Leeds believed to have been offered the meat, which is forbidden by Islam. Jack Straw said in a letter that a "regrettable administrative error" led to the blunder and apologised for any offence caused to the Muslim community.

The Justice Secretary has ordered staff at the category B facility to be more diligent and prison officers will be re-trained to consider inmates' cultural and religious needs.

In October last year the sandwiches were on a menu created for the festival, which requires Muslims to fast in daylight. A complaint from a city councillor to local Labour MP Hilary Benn led Mr Straw to send the personally signed letter to Mr Benn.
Posted by:Seafarious

#16  Spam spam spam spam spam spam spam....
Posted by: Frank G   2008-03-14 18:23  

#15  wish Jack Straw and the rest would apologize to the civilized world for offending our common sense.
Posted by: Abu do you love   2008-03-14 17:51  

#14  Jack Straw apologises to French prisoners not served fillet mignon topped with pate de foie gras on Bastille Day.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2008-03-14 12:58  

#13  mmmmm.... ham.... mmm....
Posted by: 3dc   2008-03-14 12:49  

#12  No Carolina Mustard Sauce?! Ptah!

Fine, we have some haggis for ya.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2008-03-14 12:29  

#11  Muslim prisoners who were offered ham sandwiches during the holy month of Ramadan

NB: They were offered. Not forced to consume. Offered. They had a choice.

Now, they're offended by having a choice to violate their faith. They're expecting the rest of us to enforce their own religious scruples.
Posted by: Rob Crawford   2008-03-14 12:11  

#10  How about Jewish inmates in the last ten centuries?
Posted by: JFM   2008-03-14 11:50  

#9  I wonder if they would have apologized to IRA prisoners in the 60's for serving them meat on a Friday?
Posted by: Rambler in California   2008-03-14 11:46  

#8  Back to bread and water. Most of the Muzz scum loafers look over weight anyway. Let us know if you want some bacon on the bread for breakfast.
Posted by: Rupert Chaimp5657   2008-03-14 11:20  

#7  How about no meat at all- only Tofu substitute plus veggies.

or would that shock the conscience?
Posted by: mhw   2008-03-14 10:51  

#6  Just give them kosher meals.
Posted by: liberalhawk   2008-03-14 09:58  

#5  The Justice Secretary has ordered staff at the category B facility to be more diligent and prison officers will be re-trained to consider inmates' cultural and religious needs.

Looks like the inmates actually do run this asylum...
Posted by: tu3031   2008-03-14 09:21  

#4  Offered? Not forced but offered?
Holy shit, this is getting out of hand. Time to reconquista these assholes.
Posted by: bigjim-ky   2008-03-14 09:13  

#3  Give them my father's favorite, a jam sandwich; two pieces of bread jammed together.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2008-03-14 07:39  

#2  They could just serve them prison-vegetarian-sandwiches...

YUMMY VEGGIE SANDWICH:
1) Get served ham sandwich, as usual
2) Open. Remove ham. Please dispose of properly.
3) Eat. Best served warm.
4) Shut up. You're in jail...
Posted by: Free Radical   2008-03-14 03:15  

#1  Correct response:

Dear City Councillor:

Thank you for your interest in our prison quisine. We have taken immediate steps to remove all pork and meat related products from our menus.
Posted by: Besoeker   2008-03-14 02:18  

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